Collins B1 Preliminary for Schools Sample Test

Collins English for Exams

SA

Cambridge English Qualifications

M

B1 Preliminary

E PL

for Schools U

8 practice tests

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Contents

How to use this book

4

About B1 Preliminary for Schools

6

How to prepare for the test

10

SA Test 1

19

Test 2

39

M Test 3

59

Test 4

79

Test 6 Test 7

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Test 5

119 139

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Test 8

99

Audio scripts Sample answer sheets

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Mini-dictionary

159 179 183 217 220

Model answers for the Writing papers

228

Model answers for the Speaking papers

234 250

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Speaking paper: Additional practice by topic

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Answer key for the Reading and Listening papers

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SA E PL

Test 1

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Test 1 READING

Test 1 READING Part 1 Questions 1–5 For each question, choose the correct answer.

SA 1

A Nancy thinks the homework is hard.

Subject: Homework

B Nancy’s sister has offered to help.

M

To: Christine

C Christine normally has problems with the homework.

E PL

Are you having problems understanding the homework? It’s more difficult than normal. Fancy coming round? We can work on it together. I’ll see if my sister will help us!

Nancy

U

2

A There are no swimming classes at the moment.

SE

Please note the school swimming pool will be closed until further notice for repairs. Swimming classes will be held in the public pool.

B Classes will take place in another swimming pool.

C Please pay attention to notices around the swimming pool.

O

3 Hi Tessa,

B Tessa can have her own room.

LY

I’m away this weekend with my parents. My brother’s not joining us so there’s room in the car.

N

A Tessa can have her own bed.

C Karen’s brother will be joining them later.

Would you like to come? We can share a room as there are two single beds.

Karen

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Reading 4

A You pay for another hour if you’re late back.

BOAT HIRE

B It is cheaper to pay for a second hour.

River boats can be hired for

ÂŁ10 per hour. Return late and a second hour is charged.

SA 5

C Boats must be returned before the hour is complete.

A You may not be able to see the play if you arrive before 7.00 p.m.

School Play

B Doors open at 6.45 p.m.

C Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the performance begins.

E PL

M

The performance starts at 7.00 p.m. Please make sure you are in your seats by 6.45 p.m. or you may not be able to enter.

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Test 1 READING

Part 2 Questions 6–10 For each question, choose the correct answer.

6

Victoria has some homework about the Internet. She wants an introduction to the subject and would like to be able to learn how it started.

E PL

7

M

SA

The young people below all want to buy a book.

On the opposite page there are descriptions of eight books.

Decide which book would be the most suitable for the people below.

Guillermo has been studying English for a year and has to do a grammar test. He would like to buy a book that explains grammar points and also provides exercises to practise.

SE

U Roberta is learning to play the guitar. She knows how to read music and would like something with popular songs she can try to play.

9

Andrey is interested in modern art and would like to buy a book that explains what makes a good painting and how to understand a work of art.

10

Antoinette is thinking of doing an English course during her school holiday. She would like to go to an English-speaking country and is looking for a book that will give her and her family some advice.

LY

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8

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Reading

Recommended Books E Heads Up

A Tune In

SA

Tune in to the Guitar is the latest in our series of books looking at the history of different musical instruments. There are audio files on the Internet too! Find out when the earliest guitar appeared and the different types of guitar that are available, and read stories from some of the world’s top guitarists.

B Art in the UK

F Camberley Study Guides

M

If you have an interest in art and are planning to visit some of the world-famous galleries in London, this guide will be very useful. You’ll get news of the latest exhibitions, reviews from experts and discounts on entry tickets. New! Go to our website to visit our online gallery.

E PL

C Making Sense

If you’ve seen any of our other titles on understanding the world around us, you’ll know our latest title, Making Sense of Modern Art, will be an important addition to your bookcase. You’ll learn what to focus on the next time you study a piece of art and what makes a great piece of art so special.

Most of us would be completely lost without our access to the world wide web. Our latest study guide will give you a complete introduction to this fascinating subject, explaining where it all began. The author also predicts how it might develop in the future.

G Do it!

U

Heads Up is a series of self-study grammar practice books for students studying English.

With books aimed at everyone from beginners to advanced students, each one gives a clear explanation of grammar points and lots of exercises to help you learn each point.

SE

This latest book from Keyhole Publishers is for anybody interested in taking their musical skills to the next level. Our latest title looks at the guitar and is aimed at those who can read music and would like to put their skills to the test by playing wellknown tunes.

O

H Get Ready for English

A complete course for beginners of English. This book will give you an understanding of basic grammar and vocabulary to help you start your journey in learning this wonderful language. Each book comes with a CD-ROM and extra activities on the Internet.

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As thousands of students go abroad to start an English course, English Alive will give you all the information you need to make sure you make the best decisions, whether that’s choosing a school or the kind of accommodation that is available.

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D English Alive

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Test 1 READING

Part 3 Questions 11–15 For each question, choose the correct answer.

Teenagers and Sleep

SA

Mary Atwood wonders whether teenagers need extra time in bed

E PL

M

Research in America suggests that teenagers are having to go to school too early and that the school day should start later. Not getting enough sleep is known to be bad for our health, particularly amongst youngsters, and a study at a school in the UK showed that when teenagers were required to attend school at 10.00 a.m. rather than 8.30 a.m. their grades increased and they suffered fewer health problems.

U

It is a scientific fact that teenagers have different needs when it comes to sleep. In fact, it’s been claimed that teenagers require two hours more sleep a night than adults: nine hours a night rather than seven. It is argued that having less than this results in their mental ability not being as good as it could be. And it’s not simply due to going to bed too late either. It’s also true that because of changes the human body goes through during the day, teenagers feel sleepy later and are likely to need to go to bed later than adults.

SE

So what does a lack of sleep mean for young people? To begin with it can stop them concentrating for periods of time, so they can have difficulty focusing on subjects at school. But it’s not just their studies that can leave them struggling if they don’t get enough sleep. Equally important is the effect on their general mental health – it has also been shown lack of sleep can leave them feeling depressed. This plus the timetables students have to follow at school has led experts to ask schools to think about starting the school day later. One or two have even argued that teenagers would perform best if the school day started at 11 a.m. or even 12.00 noon.

N

O

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However, the problems of changing the timetables would create problems elsewhere. The school day usually fits in with the working hours of parents, so starting and finishing later could easily cause problems for families. Of course it would also cause difficulties for teachers. And then there are always those people who disagree with the science and think all this simply encourages teenagers to be lazy. What do you think?

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Reading

11 Mary explains that A teenagers are suffering at school because they get up too late.

B teenagers can manage with less sleep than adults.

C teenagers with too little sleep are late for school.

D a later start to the day can result in better marks at school.

12 What does science show about teenagers?

A They shouldn’t go to bed late.

B They need to sleep longer than adults.

C They have more trouble sleeping at night than adults.

D Some are having two hours less sleep than they need.

M

SA

13 Mary says that experts A think a lack of sleep can stop teenagers paying attention at school.

B believe problems at school are more important than their general health.

C agree when lessons should start.

D say school timetables are too long.

E PL

14 If the timetables started later

A it might create problems for children.

B everyone would be happier.

C children would become lazy.

D it would have an effect on other people.

SE

U

15 What would be a good introduction to this article?

A later start might mean better results for your child.

B

D

Parents want changes to the school timetable.

N

C

Why are school children going to bed so late?

O

A

Teachers disagree with the latest research.

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Test 1 READING

Part 4 Questions 16–20 Five sentences have been removed from the text below.

For each question, choose the correct answer.

There are three extra sentences which you do not need to use.

What do we need to do to make classes more popular?

M

SA

School PE Lessons

E PL

Encouraging young people to take up physical exercise is really But reports out recently show that only important. 16 half of girls who were questioned by researchers enjoy doing And the reasons? Because of their sport at school. 17 dislike of the clothes they are asked to wear and the lack of facilities to do their hair afterwards. As more girls than boys fail to take part in physical activity, this is seen as a problem that needs dealing with.

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Many of the girls questioned said they disliked wearing the skirts that are often part of PE kits and that the kit should be more comfortable to wear. The girls wanted to have the chance to say what the PE kit should look like. They suggested clothing that covered more of their bodies, such as leggings and highnecked shirts. 18

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Another key issue the girls reported was not having the facilities available to do their hair after they have taken part in exercise. The girls being interviewed wanted private spaces where they could get changed. They also felt schools should supply hairdryers or somewhere they could plug their own one in so they can style They could use this time to do their hair their hair. 19 and make sure they looked the same as they did before the class.

The researchers argue that since girls worry a great deal about how they look during their teenage years, it is important that Some teachers schools take these issues seriously. 20 feel sport should be a way of taking teenagers’ minds off how they look. It should help them see the value of keeping physically fit, enjoying team sports and perhaps achieving sporting success and not worrying about what their hair looks like.

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Reading

SA

A They also thought the materials used should be more comfortable to wear.

B Unfortunately, most girls don’t agree with this suggestion.

M

C And a quarter of them actually avoid taking part.

D However, not everyone agrees with the suggestions.

E PL

E Girls had the following problems with PE classes.

F PE classes are one way of getting young people to do this.

G And the teachers completely agree.

U

H They also requested 15 minutes at the end of the PE class.

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Test 1 READING

Part 5 Questions 21–26 For each question, choose the correct answer.

Tour de France

SA

M

The Tour de France is probably the most (21) ………… cycling race in the world. It was first held in 1903 and has (22) ………… place most years since then. Cyclists follow a route around France, even starting or heading out for a (23) ………… time to another country such as Belgium, Germany, Italy or Spain. However, since 1975 the race has always finished in Paris on the Champs Elysées.

E PL

Only the very best cyclists in the world (24) ………… this competition, around 200 of them, and they ride as part of a team, with about 20

U

teams in all. The modern Tour de France consists of 21 day-long stages over a 23-day (25) ………… and covers a distance of about 3,500 kilometres on roads and up mountains. The race is (26) ………… by millions of people throughout the route as well as millions more on TV. B famous

22 A started

B made

23 A narrow

B small

24 A enter

C best

D biggest

SE

21 A great

D taken

C brief

D moment

B play

C run

D have

25 A time

B period

C age

26 A held

B caught

C looked

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C set

N

D length

D watched

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Reading

Part 6 Questions 27–32 For each question, write the correct answer.

Write one word for each gap.

SA

Alexander Graham Bell

by Matthew Holding

E PL

M

I’ve been researching Alexander Graham Bell for my school project. He was a British inventor (27) ………………… is famous for inventing the telephone. Bell was born in Scotland in 1847 and moved to Canada (28) ………………… his family in 1870. Bell moved to the USA in 1871 and began his career (29) ………………… a teacher of deaf people. While he was teaching Bell developed the basic ideas for the telephone, and on 10 March 1876 experiments he carried (30) ………………… with his assistant Thomas Watson proved successful. His invention was introduced to the world and Bell was later given the Volta Prize in 1880, which (31) ………………… worth 50,000 French francs. He used this to open a laboratory in America. He died in 1922 in his hometown of Baddeck, Canada, where today people can visit (32) ………………… Alexander Bell National Historic Site to see further examples of his work.

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Test 1 WRITING

Test 1 WRITING Part 1 You must answer this question.

Write your answer in about 100 words on the answer sheet.

Question 1

SA

Read this email from your English-speaking friend Carole and the notes you have made.

EMAIL Carole

Subject:

Can’t wait to see you!

M

From:

E PL

Hi,

It was so nice to speak to you on the phone earlier and I’m so excited to hear you’re coming to see me next weekend. I can’t wait!

Me too!

U

How are you getting here? I can meet you either at the train or the coach station. And what time are you going to arrive?

SE

Tell Carole

Say how you are travelling

My sister is away at university so you can have her bed.

My mum wants to know if there’s anything you can’t eat as she wants to cook something when you arrive.

And one more question – do you want to stay in that evening or would you prefer to go out somewhere?

Tell Carole what you prefer

LY

N

Write your email to Carole using all the notes.

O

Write back soon!

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Writing

Part 2 Choose one of these questions.

Write your answer in about 100 words on the answer sheet.

Question 2 You see this notice in an English-language magazine.

SA

Articles wanted!

HAVE YOU GOT A FAVOURITE PLACE?

Why do you particularly like this place?

E PL

M

Is your favourite place somewhere big, like a town or city, or somewhere small like a room in your house?

Write an article answering these questions and we will put it in our magazine.

Write your article.

U

Question 3

Your English teacher has asked you to write a story.

SE

Your story must begin with this sentence.

I looked out of the window at the people passing by.

Write your story.

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Test 1 LISTENING

Test 1 LISTENING Part 1 Track 01 1-1

Questions 1–7 For each question, choose the correct answer.

SA 1

What date is the school closed?

E PL

M A

C

Where is Sam meeting his friends?

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U

2

B

C

N

3

B

O

A

What has stopped working?

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A

B

C

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4

Listening How much is the school trip?

SA 5

A

B

C

B

C

When does the art class normally start?

E PL

M A

U

6

When is the dance performance?

SE Where is the boy going to buy his dad a shirt?

A

C

LY

7

B

N

O

A

B

C

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Test 1 LISTENING

Part 2 Track 02 1-1

Questions 8–13 For each question, choose the correct answer.

SA

8 You will hear two friends talking about doing homework.

What does the girl say about studying?

A The library is a quiet place to do this.

B She doesn’t like listening to music when she’s studying.

C She finds it easy to concentrate when she’s studying.

M

9 You will hear two friends talking about doing an after-school activity.

The girl says the boy A will have to pay for the activity at school.

B would be better doing it somewhere else.

C should speak to his friends.

E PL

10 You will hear two friends talking about a holiday.

The boy says A last year their hotel was flooded.

B it was lucky that it didn’t rain last year.

C he’d like nice weather.

SE

U

11 You will hear two friends talking about a video game.

What does the girl say about the game?

A She can’t afford to get it.

B The graphics are good.

C She got it for her birthday.

12 You will hear a girl and her father talking about her plans for the weekend.

What is the girl worried about?

A being able to buy a dress

B not finishing her homework

C getting home from the party

LY

N

O

13 You will hear two friends talking about one of their teachers.

The boy says the teacher

A makes them read too many novels.

B keeps the class quiet.

C talks too much in the lesson.

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Listening

Part 3 Track 03 1-1

Questions 14–19

For each question, write the correct answer in the gap. Write one or two words or a number or a date or a time.

You will hear a teacher talking about an end-of-year party.

SA

End-of-year party

M

The party starts at 7.00 p.m. and ends at (14) ……………….. p.m.

The person collecting you must park in the school car park, not on the (15) ………………..

E PL

Those using the bus service should meet in the (16) ………………..

Inform the school (17) ……………….. by Friday about what you would like to eat.

The school band performance lasts for (18) ………………..

SE

U

Please stay in the (19) ……………….. while you are waiting to be collected.

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Test 1 LISTENING

Part 4 Track 04 1-1

Questions 20–25 For each question, choose the correct answer.

You will hear an interview with a woman called Sylvia Evans, who helps students with their career choices.

SA

20 What does Sylvia say about hairdressers?

A Their friends always ask them for advice.

B You’ll learn which shampoo is the best.

C They are unlikely to lose their job to technology.

M

21 Sylvia says that when a customer enters a hairdresser’s

E PL

A the shop needs to look fantastic.

B they want to feel confident you can make them look good.

C they should be welcomed with a smile.

22 What does Sylvia say about a hairdresser’s salary?

A You shouldn’t expect to earn much.

U

B It can be higher if the customers like you.

C You will often need to request a pay rise.

SE

23 Sylvia says

A employers prefer you to have more than one skill.

B it’s best to focus on getting a hairdressing qualification.

A be happy to take advice from others.

C find jobs to do when the shop isn’t busy.

25 What does Sylvia say about having a career in hairdressing?

LY

B be confident enough to tell the boss if you have a problem.

N

24 In addition to qualifications, Sylvia says you should

O

C you won’t get work without any qualifications.

A You get the chance to enter competitions.

B You have the chance to work for yourself.

C A lot of people continue working for the same business.

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Speaking You are Candidate B. Answer the questions.

Test 1 SPEAKING 1A

Track 1-1 05–06

E PL

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SA U SE

1B

LY

N

O Audio scripts and Model answers on pages 183–249.

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Audio scripts and Model answers on pages 183–249.

E PL

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SA

Some things a girl could buy to eat on a journey

Test 1 SPEAKING

Track 1-1 07–08

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Answer key

Answer key for the Reading and Listening papers This is the Answer key for the Reading and Listening papers of Tests 1-8.

TEST 1 Paper 1 Reading Test

28 with 29 as 30 out 31 was 32 the

SA

Part 1 1 A 2 B 3 A 4 A 5 C

LY

Part 4 20 C 21 B 22 B 23 A 24 C 25 B

N

Part 6 27 who

Part 3 14 11.30 15 main road 16 gym 17 secretary 18 30 minutes 19 hall

O

Part 5 21 B 22 D 23 C 24 A 25 B 26 D

Part 2 8 B 9 C 10 C 11 A 12 A 13 B

SE

Part 4 16 F 17 C 18 A 19 H 20 D

Part 1 1 C 2 C 3 B 4 A 5 B 6 B 7 A

U

Part 3 11 D 12 B 13 A 14 D 15 C

E PL

M

Part 2 6 F 7 E 8 G 9 C 10 D

Paper 2 Listening Test

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